Los Gatos, CA

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Many people say that mother's day is just another Hallmark holiday, a chance to purchase cards and gifts and spend money. Indeed, The National Retail Foundation claims Mother's Day is a $14 billion industry, and retailers report it as the second highest gift giving day of the year behind Christmas. Google Trends shows a sharp spike in search traffic for "Mother's Day" on Mother's Day in the US and UK and the month leading up to it. Florists see their highest sales in May. US restaurants claim that it is their busiest day of the year. Long distance telephone calls also peak on this day. And the US Postal Service experiences increased volume during the surrounding days. Even Hallmark admits that 96 percent of American consumers take part in shopping on Mother's Day.

However, some mothers have an issue with the commercial aspect of this holiday. "I always have an issue with the commercialization of all holidays, because I think they are more meaningful if we get away from just buying gifts," said Nina Amir, a holiday and spirituality expert who specializes in making empty holidays and rituals "meaning-full and spirit-full." She's also the mother of two biological children and two stepchildren. "Some people put an extraordinary amount of effort into finding just the right—and meaningful gift for someone, but most people just go purchase a gift. Granted its something they thing the mother will like, but it might not be the most thoughtful gift."

Like Amir, one of the founders of Mother's day took issue with its commercialization as well. The budding commercialization of Mother's Day bothered Anna M. Jarvis, whose mother was the second person to propose an official Mother's Day; Jarvis finally managed to get the day declared as a national holiday. She basically thought retailers were misusing the holiday. Despite her efforts—which included in 1923 suing to stop a Mother's Day event and in the 19302 being arrested for disturbing the peace at the American War Mothers group while she protested their sale of flowers and having the words "Mother's Day" taken off a stamp—nothing has stopped the commercialization of this holiday.

The first North American Mother's Day was conceptualized with Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870. Julia Ward Howe wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic. She called for an international Mother's Day celebrating peace and motherhood.

Her holiday failed to take hold, but a West Virginia women's group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe's holiday. After Anna Reeves Jarvis died, her daughter Anna M. Jarvis campaigned for the creation of an official Mother's Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace. That's how Mother's Day became official.

Amir says, "I guess some could argue that the commercialization of Mother's Day makes more people observe the holiday, and, therefore, pay tribute to their mother's. I still argue that there is a better way to show your mother that you care."

Ways to make this holiday less commercial—and more meaningful for both the gift giver—children and husbands—and the gift receiver—mothers do exist. Amir says, "People's efforts to take care of their mother's on this day are great, since she cares for them all the time…or all through their childhood. It's nice for mom to have a day off and be coddled and cared for and told she is special and appreciated. Motherhood is often a very underappreciated job. So, cooking for her or taking her out to eat is fine."

In addition to this, Amir suggest doing something much more meaningful, such as:

• writing her a poem

• making her a gift (sewing her a shirt, knitting her a scarf, painting her a picture, creating a bracelet)

• writing her a letter telling her how much you love her

• listing all the things she's done for you that you appreciate and laminating it or framing it

• giving her some IOUs for chores around the house or meals cooked

• Writing an apology for past bad behavior

"These are things she'll treasure and really appreciate. They come from your heart, not from the store," Amir explains. "You don't' have to use my suggestions. Actually search your heart. What would you or could you give your mother that would really tell her how much she means to you? Then give her that."

Nina Amir, is a seasoned journalist, author, maggid (Jewish inspirational and human potential speaker), and a conscious creation coach. Additionally, she serves as the director of public relations and outreach for www.CyberJudaism.org, writes a column as the national Jewish Issues Examiner.com, and appears once a month as the holiday and spirituality expert on Conversations with Mrs. Claus, a weekly podcast heard in more than 90 countries and downloaded by 110,000 listeners per month. Through her writing and speaking, Amir offers human potential, personal growth and practical spiritual tools from a Jewish perspective, although her work spans religious lines and is pertinent to people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. In all she does, Amir strives to help people live fully and feel the Divine Presence in their lives every day.

Amir is available for interviews and to speak for groups and organizations. VIsit her website, view her media kit, and read her blogs at Pure Spirit Creations

Nina Amir

President

Pure Spirit Creations

Los Gatos, CA

408-353-1943